I'm a stranger

In my life as a field engineer in the Gear department I was in cities around the country, and around the world, where I had never been before. I would fly there and the local reps would pick me up at the airport and take me to the job. After work they would drop me off at a hotel, and say "Boy, we have heard about you, you are going to have a good time tonight." Yeah right, I do not know where I am at. So I'm going to have a good time? Where?"

Walking down the street, it invariably happened that a car would pull up and ask for directions, like how do I get to Elm Street? Naturally they assumed that somebody walking down the street lived there. I would reply "Sorry, I am a stranger here myself." They would look at me as if I would not tell them the time of the day. This happened so often that I developed a complex, and dreaded when it would happen next.

So, when in Paris, while walking in the Place de la Opera, a car pulled up along side me with the passenger window rolled down and the girl driving leaned over and asked me "Voleu vous faire l'amour avec moi?" I was totally confused and replied "Sorry, I am a stranger here myself." She got the most puzzled expression on her face, and then asked me in English "Do you wish to make love with me?" Well, it was now my turn to be flabbergasted, and my face assumed just as an amazed expression. There was nothing more for us to say, and she drove on.

Since then, I have been confused in many languages, including English.